March 31, 2012

Ace pitcher Victoria Pessolano is the lone senior on Ferris' team this season. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

12 Players to Watch for 2012

Karla Calderon, Memorial
A three-year starter at catcher, Calderon moves to pitcher for her senior season. Regardless of position, she  is one of the county's top bats as she slugged seven homers a season ago to lead the Tigers to their first league title in 30 years. Calderon has hit 27 homers for her career, a school record.

Nerylix Cerda, North Bergen
A force in the middle of the lineup, Cerda hit .413 with 32 RBI, 26 runs, 10 doubles and four triples last year for the Bruins. An All-County performer, this junior moves from left field to shortstop in 2012.

Jessica Feria, North Bergen
Few players have bigger shoes to fill this season than Feria, who replaces four-year starter Carla Arismendi at pitcher. Feria, a junior, was the Bruins' first baseman a year ago and was an All-HCIAL Honorable Mention.

Lauren Guillen, Secaucus
Guillen moves up to the leadoff spot in 2012, and is a versatile hitter capable of playing small ball as well as hitting for power. The left-handed junior takes over at centerfield after starting in left the previous two seasons.

Sybil Lynch, Hoboken
Maybe the fastest player in the county, Lynch can wreak havoc on the bases and is capable of an inside the park homer whenever she hits the ball at Hoboken's JFK Field. The senior was an All-County selection a year ago.

Jovanique Meneses, Union City
When healthy, Meneses is one of the county's most feared lefty sluggers. The senior first baseman hit .464 for the Hudson County champs last year with 22 RBI, 15 runs and eight extra-base hits. An All-County player, Meneses will be a key middle of the order bat in 2012.

Briana O'Donnell, Harrison
O'Donnell has been a four-year starter at shortstop for the Blue Tide and a mainstay in the lineup. She hit over .400 a season ago and will takes advantage of the deep outfields in Harrison. She's expected to hit cleanup this season.

Victoria Pessolano, Ferris
The lone senior on a rising Ferris squad, Pessolano gives the Bulldogs a chance whenever she's in the circle. A hard-throwing righty, Pessolano won 10 games last year, including an upset of Hoboken in the Hudson County Tournament.

Danielle Roesing, Secaucus
After splitting time at pitcher and third base, Roesing is the clear ace for the Patriots entering her junior season.  She isn't an overpowering pitcher, but is capable of being dominant as evidenced by her three-hit shutout of Hoboken in the NJSIAA North 2, Group 1 playoffs.

Shalia Rolon, Union City
Few freshmen made the impact Rolon had last season for the Soaring Eagles. She immediately stepped in as the catcher and leadoff hitter for the Hudson County champions. Rolon, who hit .521 with 31 runs scored moves down to the No. 2 spot in the lineup.

Jayla Vega, Hoboken
Entering her second full season as the Red Wings' ace, Vega is a hard thrower with improving command in the circle. A First Team All-County selection a year ago, the senior is also a key cog near the top of Hoboken's deep lineup.

Kate Zubicki, St. Dominic
A lefty with power to all fields, Zubicki was an All-County selection for the Blue Devils a season ago. The senior hit .480 with four homers, 18 extra base hits and 23 RBI last year. She had four RBI in a win over county champion Union City . Zubicki is also a top fielder at first base, making just one error.

Hoboken's Jayla Vega enters her second full season as the Red Wings' ace. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)